Article by
Barbados Today

Published on
February 26, 2016

West Indies Under-19 fast bowler Alzarri Joseph is set to receive some government assistance following his exploits with the regional youth squad in the ICC World Cup in Bangladesh.

This was confirmed by Government’s Chief of Staff Lionel “Max” Hurst who revealed yesterday that Cabinet had decided to assist Joseph with his growth and development as a cricketer.

“I think the intention is to invite him to Cabinet and then announce that the Cabinet may very likely provide him with a stipend to meet some expenses that are associated with building his (physical) strength, buying his vitamins, and also ensuring that he has proper gear or whatever might be necessary,” he said.

“No fixed amount has been determined as yet, but it was agreed that … we would give him all of the press that would be necessary to make him a public figure,” he added.

Joseph claimed a total of 13 wickets during the World Cup event, and took three for 39 in the final against India to help the young Windies to a five-wicket victory in Bangladesh.

Hurst, in his weekly post-Cabinet briefing on Observer Radio, credited Minister of Sports EP Chet Greene with having brought the proposal to Cabinet.

“Chet Greene … brought forward the idea (in Cabinet on Wednesday) and he said that he believes we have a West Indies team cricketer in Joseph, and so the Cabinet decided it would do everything possible to ensure that he succeeds in being on the West Indies team,” Hurst said.

Joseph was recalled to the Leeward Islands Hurricanes ahead of the Regional 4-day match against Trinidad & Tobago Red Force starting today in Trinidad. The speedster delivered the fastest ball in the World Cup tournament – at 91.5 mph and bowled consistently around the high 80s-90 mph.

Joseph removed the stumps in four of his 13 wickets, had three lbw decisions while three of his victims were caught by wicketkeeper Tevin Imlach off tentative edges.